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Age Related Changes In The Optics Of Adult Human Eyes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$199,437.00
Summary
Vision is limited by both optical and retinal-neural factors. Our understanding of the optical structure of the human eye is limited, partcularly for the refractive index gradient of the lens, let alone how these change with age. This understanding is needed if we are to accurately predict or assess the long-term effects of refractive surgical procedures or ophthalmic prostheses on vision. In this project, we aim to substantially improve our understanding of the optical properties of the eye by ....Vision is limited by both optical and retinal-neural factors. Our understanding of the optical structure of the human eye is limited, partcularly for the refractive index gradient of the lens, let alone how these change with age. This understanding is needed if we are to accurately predict or assess the long-term effects of refractive surgical procedures or ophthalmic prostheses on vision. In this project, we aim to substantially improve our understanding of the optical properties of the eye by 1) developing methods for measuring these quantities and then applying the methods to investigate how these properties vary with age and focussing, and 2) determine the optical contribution to reduction in visual performance with increasing age. Our research will be used to determine norms for growth and aging patterns in the normal human eye, particularly the lens. It will yield significant outcomes through 1. determination of the long-term success of custom refractive surgery aimed at improving vision by eliminating the ocular aberrations, and 2. indicating the potential improvement in ocular performance provided by artificial intraocular lenses or any other type of correction.Read moreRead less
Metrics Of Optical Quality Predictive Of Visual Performance In Eye Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$121,655.00
Summary
Highly precise measurement of the optical quality of the human eye (how well an image is formed by light passing through the eye) is now possible. While eye's optics can be measured, it is less clear how to report optical quality in a way that is related to how well the eye sees; optics and vision are complex. This project will attempt to find ways to describe the optical quality of the human eye that predicts how well the eye sees - both for the normal eye and eyes with disease.
Regulation Of Gene Expression In Mitochondrial Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$338,362.00
Summary
Mitochondrial diseases affect 4000 children every year and most of these children do not reach adulthood. These diseases result from defects in mitochondria, energy producing compartments within cells. We have discovered a protein that controls mitochondrial gene expression and used it to rescue dysfunction in cells from patients with mitochondrial disease. We will determine its function and role in cell health, allowing us to evaluate its importance in mitochondrial disease.
Optical And Neural Limits Of Visual Performance In Myopia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$191,902.00
Summary
Short-sightedness (myopia) is one of our most common eye problems, affecting approximately 20% of people. It is usually due to the eye becoming too long for its power. While we can correct short-sight with contact lenses, spectacles and more recently refractive surgery, recent evidence shows that the vision of corrected myopes is poorer than that of people who have good distance vision without the need for an optical correction. This reduction is present even when the optical minification of spe ....Short-sightedness (myopia) is one of our most common eye problems, affecting approximately 20% of people. It is usually due to the eye becoming too long for its power. While we can correct short-sight with contact lenses, spectacles and more recently refractive surgery, recent evidence shows that the vision of corrected myopes is poorer than that of people who have good distance vision without the need for an optical correction. This reduction is present even when the optical minification of spectacle lenses is taken into account (the lenses used to correct short-sightedness make objects look smaller). It is possible that the anatomical changes to the eye that occur in short-sightedness are the cause of the reduced vision. Even if the optics can be fully corrected with refractive surgery, as is now being proposed, this may not result in excellent vision. The anatomical changes may occur in different parts of the eye and depending on where they occur the nature of the visual reduction will vary. The location of the retinal changes may also be important in terms of eventual pharmacological treatments for short-sightedness. In addition, the significance of the visual reduction, in terms of its effect on the functioning of short-sighted people, e.g. ability to perform under less than optimal visual conditions such as in the presence of glare or reduced light levels, is not known. We plan to investigate this by identifying the optical and neural contributions to visual performance in short-sighted people.Read moreRead less
Bronchoscopic Applications Of Anatomical Optical Coherence Tomography.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,366.00
Summary
This research proposal aims to investigate the potential utility of a novel, Australian designed dianostic laser system. A tube positioned in the lungs takes real-time images of the shape and size inside the airways. This can have both clinical and research benefits. It may help doctors choose the right size hardware when opening up cancerous airways and it will help us understand disease mechanisms of lung diseases by studying parts of the airways not previously able to be measured.
Optical Vortices For Trapping And Guiding Nanoparticles In Air
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$500,685.00
Summary
A serious challenge for environmental protection in the fast-growing nanotechnology industry is the development of new methods for effective removal of nanoparticle contamination, which may pose hazards to humans, from air. We will develop new laser-based methods for effective capture and removal of nanoparticulate pollutants from air, which will find wide-spread application in developing ecologically clean and health-safe environments for the Australian and world-wide nanotechnology industry.